The Big Deal

Has anyone heard of the Melbourne Cup? Major horse race. Takes place in Melbourne. Well, a big deal here it is. Lots of places and people take half the day off work and dress up in all their fancy dresses and sometimes suits and all. Women wear hats and its like the horse race scene from My Fair Lady! It's funny, but my work was one who took the avo off and all met at the Mooloolaba office for a big party. So I went to see what the fuss is all about. I didn't dress up but I did wear a hat but more importantly I took a pan of Nanaimo Bars and no joke, they were gone in 5 min flat! Here's my recipe for any of you who want to try them...they will NOT dissapoint, I promise! And they are truly Canadian!

Nanaimo Bars

1/2 c. butter

1/4 c. white sugar

1 egg

4 T. cocoa

1 1/2 c. graham wafer crumbs
3/4 c. coconut
1/4 c. chopped nuts(I use almonds and I put them in the blender so they're mostly crushed)

1/4 c. butter
3 T milk
2 T vanilla custard powder
2 c icing sugar

4 squares semi-sweet chocolate
1 T butter


Mix first 4 ingredients together in double boiler and stir until mixture resembles a custard. Combine 2nd group of ingredients with this chocolate mix. Press into 9x9 pan. Beat together 3rd group of indgrients till icing like. Spread over the base. Put in freezer to chill quickly. Melt last group in double boiler and spread over the custard bit.

*Hint- I usually need to add a tiny bit of milk in order for the chocolate to spread easier and go a bit farther.


Here's some historical fact for you about "The Legendary Nanaimo Bar"
According to local legend about 35 years ago, a Nanaimo housewife entered her recipe for chocolate squares in a magazine contest. In a burst of civic pride, she chose to dub the entry not "Daphne's Delights" or "Mary's Munchies", but "Nanaimo Bars". The entry won a prize, thereby publishing the town as much as her cooking. Some American tourists claim sovereignty over the dessert, referred to as "New York Slice" which is sold in many other places in the world. Nanaimo residents refuse to accept this theory, however, believing that once you set foot on Vancouver Island, there are no other places in the world. The official Nanaimo Bar recipe was available as a handout as well as on quality tea towel and apron souvenirs.